`MS-Choice` bermudagrass

ABSTRACT

An improved bermudagrass plant, having superior properties, suitable for a variety of turf applications, is disclosed. The bermudagrass is characterized by a dark green color, high-shot density, low seed-head density, medium-course leaf texture, good fall color retention, average sod strength, good cold tolerance, excellent shade tolerance as compared to other bermudagrasses, some dollar spot, and average leaf-spot resistance.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety ofbermudagrass, which has excellent turfgrass quality, good pestresistance and above-average environmental stress hardiness. Theinventive bermudagrass is suitable for use on residential lawns, sport'sfields, gold fairways and tees.

The inventive bermudagrass is characterized by a dark green color,high-shoot density, low seed-head density, medium-coarse leaf texture,good fall color retention, average sod strength, good cold tolerance,excellent shade tolerance as compared to other bermuda grasses, somedollar spot and average leaf-spot resistance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The plant is ilustrated in FIGS. 1-6, which are color photographs of theinventive bermudagrass.

FIG. 1 reflects whole plant features of mowed and unmowed turf.

FIG. 2 is a photograph of a field plot of mowed turf.

FIG. 3 is a photograph of a typical inflorescence structure showingthree racemes per stalk.

FIG. 4 is a photograph reflecting the leaf blade and sheath features ofthe inventive plant.

FIG. 5 is a photograph reflecting an abaxial view of spikelets of theinventive bermudagrass.

FIG. 6 is a photograph reflecting an adaxial view of spikelets of theinventive bermudagrass.

MS-Choice (experimental name MSB-30) is a distinct genotype of Cynodondactylon Pers. that was developed and is vegatatively propagated at thePlant Science Research Center, Mississippi Agricultural and ForestryExperiment Station, Mississippi State, Miss. MS-Choice originated from asingle clone collected from the 13th fairway at the Shady Oaks CountryClub, Jackson, Miss. on Aug. 21, 1980. Persons knowledgeable of ShadyOaks Country Club's history said that this fairway was established withbermudagrass seed in 1913, has existed as a golf fairway since itsoriginal planting, and had not been intentionally replanted withbermudagrass seed, sprigs, plugs or sod since 1913.

MS-Choice's origin may be from any one of the following sources: (a) aseed within the original seed lot; (b) a seed or plant introducedunintentionally to this site; or (c) a plant which developed as a resultof an environmentally selected mutation(s).

The identifying features of the original clone of MS-Choice were a darkgreen color, high shoot density, and lack of seed heads. The size of theoriginal clone was approximately 3 ft in diameter. A 4 inch diameterplug was removed from the center of the clone and transplanted to abermudagrass nursery located at the Plant Science Research Center.MS-Choice was 1 of 72 ecotypes of bermudagrass planted and maintained inthis nursery.

MS-Choice was evaluated for 5 years in this nursery. During this period,MS-Choice maintained its original dark green color, high shoot density,and low seed head density. During this time no significant loss ofMS-Choice turf was noticed due to pest or environmental stresses.

In 1986, MS-Choice was included in a regional bermudagrass evaluationtrail located at 15 sites encompassing 11 states. Data was collectedfrom 1986 to 1990. The findings from this study confirmed MS-Choice'sdark green color, high shoot density, and low seed head density. Inaddition, MS-Choice was found to have moderate cold tolerance, excellentshade tolerance, good dollar spot and good leafspot resistance, and highturfgrass quality scores at all 15 field plot locations.

Morphological description: MS-Choice has a wide leaf width (2.2 to 2.6mm), short leaf length (16.9 to 28.3 mm), medium internode length (7.2to 13.2 mm), large internode (1.26 to 1.87 mm) and node diameter (1.43to 1.87 mm) (Table 1).

Seed head density: The seed head density of MS-Choice was measured at 3location for 2 or 3 years depending on location (Table 2). At all threelocation, MS-Choice showed very low seed head density that ranked wellbelow the average when compared to the other bermudagrasses tested.

Genetic color: The genetic color of MS-Choice was visually rated at 7locations for 1 or 2 years depending on location (Table 3). At alllocations, MS-Choice's color was rated dark green. The stolons are lightgreen and rhizomes are white.

The color designation of MS-Choice is 7.5 GY 3/4 using a Munsell colorchart rating.

Shoot density: The shoot density of MS-Choice was measured at 2 locationfor 1 or 2 years depending on location (Table 4). MS-Choice has a highshoot density that ranked at the highest density compared to the otherbermudagrasses tested.

Shade tolerance: The shade tolerance of MS-Choice was measured at 1location for 2 years (Table 5). MS-Choice has a excellent tolerance toshade that ranked highest compared to the other bermudagrasses tested.

Ploidy level and chromosome number: MS-Choice's ploidy level andchromosome number were determined and compared to other bermudagrasses(Table 6). MS-Choice is a tetraploid with 36 chromosomes.

Turfgrass quality rating: The overall turf quality of MS-Choice wasmeasured at 15 locations for 1, 2, or 3 years depending on location(Table 7). MS-Choice has excellent turfgrass quality. In comparison toother bermudagrasses tested, MS-Choice was at or near the top of therankings.

Leaf texture: Leaf texture based on a visual comparison was measured at8 locations for 1 or 2 years depending on location (Table 8). MS-Choicehas a medium to course leaf texture.

Establishment rate: The establishment rate of MS-Choice was measured atscheduled intervals over a 54 day period after planting (Table 9).MS-Choice has a good establishment rate compared to the otherbermudagrasses tested. At the end of the establishment period, MS-Choicehad 98% turf cover.

Fall color retention: Fall color retention of MS-Choice was measuredduring the month of November at 6 locations for 1 or 3 years dependingon location (Table 10). MS-Choice had good fall color retention thatranked at or slightly less than average when compared to the otherbermudagrasses tested.

Unmowed height and sod strength: The unmowed height and sod strength ofMS-Choice was measured at 1 location for 1 year and 1 location for 2years, respectively (Table 11). MS-Choice had a low unmowed height andaverage sod strength compared to the other bermudagrasses tested.

Low temperature kill: The low temperature kill of MS-Choice was measuredat 1 location for 2 consecutive years (Table 12). During both years,MS-Choice showed better than average low temperature tolerance comparedto the other bermudagrasses tested.

Disease resistance: MS-Choice's resistance to leafspot (Helminthosporiumspp.) and dollar spot (Sclerotinia spp.) was measured at 1 location for1 or 2 years depending on location (Table 13). MS-Choice showed averageresistance to leafspot and higher than average susceptibility to dollarspot compared to other bermudagrasses tested.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF MS-CHOICE

MS-Choice can be distinguished by morphological and turf performancecharacteristics. MS-Choice has high turf density and excellent turfgrassquality as illustrated in pot and field plot culture (FIGS. 1 and 2).MS-Choice's shoot structure is pilose on the abaxial and adaxial leafblade surfaces, pubescence tufted at the ligule margins, and glabrous onthe adaxial leaf surface and sheath (FIG. 4). MS-Choice has a racemeinflorescence structure with 3 racemes attached per stalk in a singlewhorl (FIG. 3). Spikelet density is medium with attachment spaced every1.27 mm along the raceme. Length of an average spikelet is 2.3 mm withglumes extending 1/3 to 1/2 the length of a floret (FIGS. 5 and 6). Theflower of MS-Choice has a purple stigma and yellow anthers.

MS-Choice has significantly wider leaves than MS-Pride, Tifgreen, TifwayII, and Tifway have (Table 1). The leaf length of MS-Choice issignificantly shorter than Midiron and Tufcote. There were littledifferences in internode length between MS-Choice and the otherbermudagrasses tested; however, the internode diameter was significantlylarger than all bermudagrasses tested except Texturf 10. Node diameterof MS-Choice was significantly larger than all other bermudagrassestested.

MS-Choice has turf performance characteristics that distinguish it fromother bermudagrasses. Compared to all other bermudagrasses tested,MS-Choice showed significantly darker green color (Table 3), lower seedhead density (Table 2), and greater shade tolerance (Table 5). Darkgreen color, low seed head density, and good shade tolerance are keyfeatures that make MS-Choice a highly desirable turfgrass.

MS-Choice, like all turf grasses, has a tendency to thatch. The tendencyto thatch in this grass is limited. The thatch is comprised of deadleaves, dead or living stolons snd dead or living crowns. In contrast toother bermudagrasses, MS-Choice has a greather than average tendency tothatch.

The mowing height range for MS-Choice is from 1/2-2 inches. Thisbermudagrass may not be suitable for use for golf putting greens.

This grass although tetraploid, produce few seed-heads. An examinationof the seed-heads showed the pollen to be non-viable, making it highlyprobable that the ovules are non-viable as well. The frequency ofseed-heads is on the order of 2-3/100 ft². Given the outcrossing natureof this bermudagrass, there is virtually no practical chance of seedcontaminating MS-Choice.

Additional performance characteristics of MS-Choice ranked above averagecompared to the others grasses tested. Some of these qualities ofMS-Choice were high turf quality, shoot density good fall colorretention, and moderate disease resistance.

The following additional distinctive characteristics are noted:

a) Leaf color is forest green and rated a 7.5 GY 3/4 based on a Munsell®color chart for plant tissue. There is no anthocyanin pigmentationexpressed in leaves during the fall. The average leaf width is 2.4 mmand average length 22.6 mm.

b) The grass spreads by stolons and rhizomes and has a hightly compact,prostrate leaf canopy. Stolon color is 5 GY 5/8 based on a Munsell®color chart for plant tissue. There is no anthocyanin pigmentationexpressed in stolons during the fall. The average stolon internodediameter is 1.43 mm, the average stolon node diameter is 1.65 mm, andaverage stolon internode length is 22.6 mm.

c) The grass has an extensive fibrous root system initiated from thenodes of stolons and rhizomes.

d) Leaves are folded in the bud shoot; the blades are mostly flat orslightly V-shaped with only the midvein visible; and the leaf tip istapered to an acute apex.

e) The grass has a very low frequency of inflorescence formation havingan average density of <1 inflorescence per square meter. Average heightof culms is 38 mm. The fluorescence consists of 2 to 3 digitate spikesat the top of the main stem, folded down at a 30 to 40 degree angle fromverticle, spikelets sessiled and closely appressed. The average lengthof a spike is 16 mm.

f) The grass blade is pilose on the adaxial and abaxial surface. Theligule consists of a fringe of hairs. The sheath is glabrous, split withmargins overlapping, and pubescence tufted at the side of the ligule.The collar is a continuous narrow band, glabrous and auricles areabsent.

g) The spikelets are glabrous in two rows, blunt at their base andpointed at their tips. Spikelets are attached an average distance of1.27 mm along the spikes. The length of an average spikelet is 2.3 mmwith glumes extending 1/3 to 1/2 the length of a floret. The spikelethas stigmas of dark purple-red color rated as a 5 RP 3/10 based on aMunsell® color chart for plant tissue.

h) The grass has a somatic chromosome number of 36 and classed as atetraploid.

                  TABLE 1                                                         ______________________________________                                        A quantitative comparison of morphological features                           for describing the whole plant morphology of MS-Choice and                    eight other bermudagrasses.                                                   Bermudagrass                                                                           Leaf    Leaf     Internode                                                                            Internode                                                                            Node                                  Entry    Width   Length   Length Diameter                                                                             Diameter                              ______________________________________                                        mm-------------------                                                         MS-Choice                                                                              2.4     22.6     10.2   1.43   1.65                                  Midiron  2.3     35.8     15.7   1.00   1.35                                  Texturf 10                                                                             1.8     22.9     9.4    1.28   1.28                                  Turfcote 1.7     33.7     12.9   1.10   1.33                                  MS-Express                                                                             1.8     23.8     11.1   0.95   1.25                                  Tifgreen 1.3     22.3     9.4    0.90   1.22                                  TIfway II                                                                              1.3     27.2     10.9   0.64   0.85                                  MS-Pride 1.3     29.0     11.8   0.65   0.85                                  Tifway   1.2     28.2     11.8   0.67   0.89                                  LSD (.05)                                                                              .22     5.66     3.02   0.172  0.22                                  Mean     1.65    27.27    11.47  0.93   1.18                                  ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 2                                                         ______________________________________                                        Comparative seed head density of MS-Choice                                    and nine other bermudgrasses.                                                            Field Plot Locations                                               Bermudagrass Starkville Las Cruces Blacksburg                                 Entry        Mississippi                                                                              New Mexico Virginia                                   ______________________________________                                        MS-Choice    8.8.sup.1  9.0        9.0                                        Tifgreen     4.0        4.7        6.2                                        Tifway       7.0        7.8        8.2                                        Tifway II    7.3        7.8        7.8                                        Texturf 10   5.3        8.0        6.7                                        Tufcote      7.5        5.3        7.7                                        Midiron      5.7        5.0        7.3                                        MS-Pride     7.3        7.9        7.7                                        MS-Express   4.3        5.1        6.5                                        Arizona Common                                                                             4.7        5.9        6.7                                        LSD (.05)    0.77       0.67       0.82                                       Mean         6.2        6.6        7.4                                        Cultivar × Year                                                                      *          **         **                                         interaction.                                                                  Years data was                                                                             1987       1986       1987                                       collected.   1988       1987       1988                                                               1988                                                  ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 Seed head density rating based on a 1 to 9 scale; with 1 = high        seed head density and 9 = no seed heads.                                      *, **Significant at the .05 and .01 level of probability, respectively.  

                  TABLE 3                                                         ______________________________________                                        Comparative genetic color of MS-Choice and                                    nine other bermudagrasses.                                                             Field Plot Location                                                  Bermudgrass                                                                              Tucson   Santa Ana Gainsville                                                                           Starkville                               Entry      Arizona  California                                                                              Florida                                                                              Mississippi                              ______________________________________                                        MS-Choice  7.0.sup.1                                                                              9.0       7.3    7.7                                      Tifgreen   6.3      7.0       5.2    5.0                                      Tifway     6.7      8.0       7.0    6.3                                      Tifway II  6.3      8.0       6.8    7.0                                      Texturf 10 6.3      7.7       5.8    5.3                                      Tufcote    6.7      6.7       5.8    5.0                                      Midiron    6.7      7.7       5.7    5.3                                      MS-Pride   6.0      7.7       6.8    7.0                                      MS-Express 6.3      7.7       6.2    5.0                                      Arizona Common                                                                           5.3      5.7       5.2    5.0                                      LSD (.05)  NS       0.75      0.55   0.65                                     Mean       6.4      7.5       6.2    5.9                                      Cultivar × Year         **                                              interaction.                                                                  Years data was                                                                           1987     1987      1987   1988                                     collected.                    1988                                            ______________________________________                                                     Field Plot Location                                              Bermudagrass   Las Cruces                                                                              Stillwater                                                                              Cleveland                                  Entry          New Mexico                                                                              Oklahoma  Texas                                      ______________________________________                                        MS-Choice      7.5       8.0       8.7                                        Tifgreen       6.8       6.3       7.7                                        Tifway         7.0       7.7       9.0                                        Tifway II      7.7       6.0       8.0                                        Texturf 10     7.0       7.3       8.0                                        Tufcote        7.2       4.7       7.3                                        Midiron        6.3       6.7       7.0                                        MS-Pride       7.7       7.0       8.7                                        MS-Express     6.7       6.3       7.7                                        Arizona Common 5.5       6.0       6.7                                        LSD (.05)      NS        1.08      0.80                                       Mean           6.9       6.6       7.9                                        Cultivar × Year                                                                        NS                                                             interaction.                                                                  Years data was 1986      1988      1988                                       collected.     1987                                                           ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 Genetic color rating based on a 1 to 9 scale; with 1 = light green     color and 9 = dark green color.                                               *, **Significant at the .05 and .01 level of probability, respectively.  

                  TABLE 4                                                         ______________________________________                                        Comparative shoot density of MS-Choice and nine other bermudagrasses.                       Field Plot Location                                             Bermudagrass    Las Cruces   Stillwater                                       Entry           New Mexico   Oklahoma                                         ______________________________________                                        MS-Choice       8.4.sup.1    8.0                                              Tifgreen        8.4          7.7                                              MS-Pride        8.1          7.3                                              Texturf 10      7.8          8.0                                              Tifway          7.7          7.7                                              Midiron         7.9          7.0                                              Tifway II       7.3          7.7                                              MS-Express      7.3          7.3                                              Tufcote         6.3          7.7                                              Arizona Common  3.9          6.0                                              LSD (0.05)      0.61         0.95                                             Mean            7.3          7.5                                              Entry × Year                                                                            **           NA                                               Interaction                                                                   Year(s) data was                                                                              1986         1987                                             recorded        1987                                                          ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 Shoot density rating based on a visual scale; with 1 = low density     and 9 = high density.                                                         *, **Significant at the 0.05 and 0.01 level of probability, respectively.

                  TABLE 5                                                         ______________________________________                                        Comparative shade tolerance of MS-Choice and                                  nine other bermudgrasses.sup.1.                                               Bermudagrass        Shade                                                     Entry               Tolerance                                                 ______________________________________                                        MS-Choice           4.9.sup.2                                                 MS-Pride            4.5                                                       Tifgreen            4.3                                                       MS-Express          4.3                                                       Tifway II           3.8                                                       Tifway              3.7                                                       Texturf 10          3.5                                                       Tufcote             3.4                                                       Arizona Common      2.5                                                       Midiron             2.1                                                       LSD (0.05)          0.39                                                      Mean                3.7                                                       Cultivar × Year                                                                             **                                                        interaction                                                                   Years data was      1987                                                      collected           1988                                                      ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 Field plots located in Starkville, MS.                                 .sup.2 Shade tolerance based on a visual scale of 1 to 9; with 9 =            excellent shade tolerance and 1 = poor shade tolerance.                       *, **Significant at the 0.05 and 0.01 level of probability, respectively.

                  TABLE 6                                                         ______________________________________                                        The ploidy level and chromosome number of MS-Choice                           and nine other bermudagrasses.                                                Bermudagrass                 Chromosome                                       Entry           Ploidy Level Number                                           ______________________________________                                        MS-Choice       Tetraploid   36.sup.1                                         Texturf 10                   36                                               Turfcote                     36                                               Midiron                      36                                               Arizona Common               36                                               MS-Express      Triploid     27                                               MS-Pride                     27                                               Tifgreen                     27                                               Tifway                       27                                               Tifway II                    27                                               ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 Chromosome numbers were determined using squashes of root tips.   

                  TABLE 7                                                         ______________________________________                                        Comparative turfgrass quality of MS-Choice and                                nine other bermudagrasses.                                                            Field Plot Location                                                   Bermudagrass                                                                            Tucson   Santa Ana Riverside                                                                             Gainsville                               Entry     Arizona  California                                                                              California                                                                            Florida                                  ______________________________________                                        MS-Choice 7.5.sup.1                                                                              6.3       4.9     5.7                                      Tifgreen  7.3      5.8       5.4     4.8                                      Tifway    7.8      6.5       5.5     5.8                                      Tifway II 7.9      6.5       5.7     5.7                                      Texturf 10                                                                              7.8      5.8       5.1     5.1                                      Tufcote   7.3      5.4       5.2     5.6                                      Midiron   6.2      5.8       4.9     4.9                                      MS-Pride  8.3      6.5       5.3     6.0                                      MS-Express                                                                              7.8      5.9       5.8     5.2                                      Arizona Common                                                                          5.5      4.4       4.7     4.9                                      LSD (.05) 0.54     0.33      0.55    0.32                                     Mean      7.3      5.9       5.2     5.4                                      Cultivar × Year                                                                            **        NS      **                                       interaction.                                                                  Year(s) data was                                                                        1988     1986      1986    1987                                     collected.         1987      1987    1988                                                                  1988    1988                                     ______________________________________                                                Field Plot Location                                                   Bermudagrass                                                                            Manhattan                                                                              Wichita  Baton Rogue                                                                           Silver Springs                            Entry     Kansas   Kansas   Louisiana                                                                             Maryland                                  ______________________________________                                        MS-Choice 6.9      8.0      7.0     6.0                                       Tifgreen  6.9      7.8      7.7     6.2                                       Tifway    6.3      8.2      7.6     6.3                                       Tifway II 6.5      8.4      7.6     6.4                                       Texturf 10                                                                              6.7      7.9      6.9     5.3                                       Tufcote   6.9      7.7      7.3     5.8                                       Midiron   6.7      7.7      6.7     5.4                                       MS-Pride  6.5      8.3      7.5     6.4                                       MS-Express                                                                              6.8      8.1      7.6     7.7                                       Arizona Common                                                                          5.0      5.9      6.3     5.0                                       LSD (.05) 0.38     0.30     0.59    NS                                        Mean      6.5      7.8      7.2     6.1                                       Cultivar × Year                                                                   **       **       *                                                 interaction.                                                                  Year(s) data was                                                                        1987     1986     1987    1988                                      collected.                                                                              1988     1987     1988                                                                          1988                                              ______________________________________                                                 Field Plot Location                                                  Bermudagrass                                                                             Starkville                                                                              Las Cruces                                                                              Cleveland                                                                            Beltsville                              Entry      Mississippi                                                                             New Mexico                                                                              Texas  Maryland                                ______________________________________                                        MS-Choice  6.1.sup.1 7.3       8.0    7.0                                     Tifgreen   7.4       6.3       9.0    7.3                                     Tifway     6.7       7.0       7.7    6.6                                     Tifway II  6.9       7.5       8.0    6.8                                     Texturf 10 5.6       6.8       5.7    6.5                                     Tufcote    5.5       6.2       5.7    6.7                                     Midiron    5.1       6.5       5.3    5.8                                     MS-Pride   6.9       7.2       8.0    6.9                                     MS-Express 7.6       6.7       8.7    7.0                                     Arizona Common                                                                           4.1       3.8       4.0    4.5                                     LSD (.05)  0.19      0.49      1.14   0.38                                    Mean       6.2       6.5       7.0    6.5                                     Cultivar × Year                                                                    **        **        NA     **                                      interaction.                                                                  Year(s) data was                                                                         1986      1986      1988   1986                                    collected. 1987      1987             1987                                               1988      1988             1988                                    ______________________________________                                                   Field Plot Location                                                Bermudagrass Blacksburg                                                                              Blackstone                                                                              Virginia Beach                               Entry        Virginia  Virginia  Virginia                                     ______________________________________                                        MS-Choice    5.9       6.8       6.7                                          Tifgreen     5.9       6.8       6.2                                          Tifway       6.5       7.0       6.3                                          Tifway II    6.1       6.8       6.9                                          Texturf 10   6.0       6.6       5.7                                          Tufcote      5.8       6.4       4.9                                          Midiron      5.0       5.8       5.9                                          MS-Pride     5.8       6.8       6.4                                          MS-Express   6.5       6.8       6.0                                          Arizona Common                                                                             4.2       5.0       3.9                                          LSD (.05)    0.43      0.38      0.77                                         Mean         5.8       6.5       5.9                                          Cultivar × Year                                                                      *         **        NA                                           interaction.                                                                  Year(s) data was                                                                           1986      1986      1986                                         collected.   1987      1988                                                                1988                                                             ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 Turfgrass quality ratings based on a 1 to 9 scale with 1 = poor        turfgrass quality and 9 = excellent turf quality.                             *, **Significant at the .05 and .01 level of probability, respectively.  

                  TABLE 8                                                         ______________________________________                                        Comparative leaf texture of MS-Choice and nine other bermudagrasses.                  Field Plot Locations                                                            Tucson   Wichita  Gainsville                                                                            Starkville                                Cultivar  Arizona  Kansas   Florida Mississippi                               ______________________________________                                        MS-Choice 5.3.sup.1                                                                              6.7      5.7     5.0                                       Tifgreen  7.3      9.0      7.5     7.7                                       Tifway    7.0      7.7      7.8     6.0                                       Tifway II 6.3      8.3      8.2     6.0                                       Texturf 10                                                                              5.7      8.0      5.5     5.0                                       Tufcote   5.7      6.0      7.0     5.0                                       Midiron   5.3      4.0      5.8     5.0                                       MS-Pride  6.7      7.3      8.0     6.0                                       MS-Express                                                                              7.7      9.0      7.3     8.0                                       Arizona Common                                                                          4.3      3.7      2.7     4.3                                       LSD (.05) 0.92     0.68     1.01    0.43                                      Mean      6.1      7.0      6.6     5.8                                       Cultivar × Year       **                                                interaction.                                                                  Year(s) data was                                                                        1987     1986     1987    1988                                      collected.                  1988                                              ______________________________________                                                    Field Plot Locations                                                            Las Cruces                                                                              Baton Rogue                                                                             Virignia Beach                              Cultivar      New Mexico                                                                              Louisiana Virginia                                    ______________________________________                                        MS-Choice     6.5       6.3       4.7                                         Tifgreen      9.0       9.0       7.0                                         Tifway        8.2       9.0       6.0                                         Tifway II     8.3       9.0       5.7                                         Texturf 10    5.8       6.3       5.7                                         Tufcote       6.7       9.0       3.7                                         Midiron       6.8       7.7       4.3                                         MS-Pride      8.5       9.0       6.0                                         MS-Express    8.8       9.0       6.0                                         Arizona Common                                                                              4.2       6.3       2.3                                         LSD (.05)     0.79      0.79      1.19                                        Mean          7.3       8.1       5.1                                         Cultivar × Year                                                                       **                                                              interaction.                                                                  Year(s) data was                                                                            1986      1988      1988  1986                                  collected.    1987                                                            ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 Leaf texture rating based on a 1 to 9 scale; with 1 = coarse leaf      texture and 9 = fine leaf texture.                                            *, **Significant at the 0.05 and 0.01 level of probability, respectively.

                  TABLE 9                                                         ______________________________________                                        Comparative establishment rate of MS-Choice                                   and nine other bermudagrasses.                                                Bermudagrass Days After Planting.sup.1                                        Entry        26      33      40    47    54                                   ______________________________________                                                   % cover---------------                                             Arizona Common                                                                             65.0.sup.2                                                                            66.7    90.0  97.7  100.0                                Midiron      36.7    43.3    76.7  91.7  100.0                                MS-Choice    36.7    38.3    71.7  88.3  100.0                                Tifgreen     35.0    41.7    80.0  91.7  100.0                                MS-Express   35.3    45.0    86.7  88.3  98.3                                 Tufcote      35.0    40.0    76.7  91.0  98.3                                 Texturf 10   31.7    43.3    73.3  88.3  98.3                                 Tifway       25.0    30.0    51.7  66.7  93.3                                 Tifway II    21.7    28.3    41.7  73.3  93.3                                 MS-Pride     20.0    28.3    51.7  66.7  91.7                                 LSD (0.05)   14.3    14.7    18.7  20.3  8.2                                  Mean         34.2    40.5    70.0  84.4  97.3                                 ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 All entries were planted on 620-86 using 2 inch diameter plugs         spaced on 1 ft intervals. Plots were located in Starkville, MS and plot       size was 5 × 10 ft.                                                     .sup.2 The % cover was based on a visual estimation of the % of the plot      area covered by vegetation.                                              

                  TABLE 10                                                        ______________________________________                                        Comparative fall color retention of MS-Choice                                 and nine other bermudgrasses.                                                        Field Plot Location                                                                                       Las                                                          Raleigh          Cruces                                                                              Loc. 2                               Bermudagrasses                                                                         Beltsville                                                                             North    Starkville                                                                            New   New                                  Entry    Maryland Carolina Mississippi                                                                           Mexico                                                                              Mexico                               ______________________________________                                        MS-Pride 5.3.sup.1                                                                              6.7      6.5     4.3   5.3                                  Tifway   4.8      6.7      6.2     4.6   5.7                                  Tifway II                                                                              4.5      7.3      6.5     4.4   5.7                                  Tufcote  2.8      6.3      5.3     3.2   3.3                                  Midiron  2.3      3.7      4.2     3.1   3.3                                  Texturf 10                                                                             2.2      5.3      3.2     2.6   5.0                                  MS-Choice                                                                              2.0      5.7      4.2     3.4   4.3                                  Tifgreen 2.0      6.3      3.2     2.0   4.0                                  MS-Express                                                                             1.7      6.7      3.0     2.1   4.3                                  Arizona  1.7      5.7      4.5     3.4   2.3                                  Common                                                                        LSD (0.05)                                                                             0.68     1.54     0.43    0.76  1.74                                 Mean     2.9      6.0      4.7     3.3   4.3                                  Cultivar × Year                                                                  **       NA       **      **    NA                                   interaction                                                                   Year(s) data                                                                           1986     1986     1986    1986  1988                                 was collected                                                                          1987              1988    1987                                                                          1988                                       ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 Color ratings based on a visual scale of color with; 9 = green         color and 1 = brown color.                                                    *, **Significant at the 0.05 and 0.01 level of probability, respectively.

                  TABLE 11                                                        ______________________________________                                        Comparative height of unmowed plots and sod                                   strength of MS-Choice and nine other bermudgrasses.                                         Plant Measurement                                               Bermudagrass    Unmowed     Sod                                               Entry           Height      Strength                                          ______________________________________                                        cm--                                                                          lbs--                                                                         Arizona Common  31.7.sup.1  26.8.sup.2                                        Tufcote         8.7         39.3                                              Midiron         5.7         39.5                                              Tifway II       5.0         121.5                                             MS-Choice       4.3         65.5                                              Texturf 10      4.3         77.8                                              Tifway          4.3         95.2                                              MS-Express      4.0         86.7                                              MS-Pride        4.0         157.7                                             Tifgreen        3.3         74.7                                              LSD (0.05)      1.8         34.5                                              Mean            7.5         78.5                                              Entry × Year                                                                            NA          NS                                                Interaction                                                                   Year(s) data    1986        1987                                              was collected               1988                                              Location        Las Cruces  Starkville                                                        New Mexico  Mississippi                                       ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 The shoot height was determined by measuring the height of the         grass at its maximum length above the soil surface.                           .sup.2 Sod strength was determined by measuring the amount of force (lbs)     required to shear an 18 × 24 × 1" section of sod.            

                  TABLE 12                                                        ______________________________________                                        Comparative turf mortality due to winter kill of                              MS-Choice and nine other bermudagrasses.sup.1.                                Bermudagrass      Year                                                        Entry             1987        1988                                            ______________________________________                                                        % turf mortality---                                           Tufcote           0.sup.2     0                                               Tifgreen          3.3         1.7                                             MS-Express        1.7         5.0                                             Texturf 10        3.3         10.0                                            MS-Pride          5.0         25.0                                            Midiron           11.7        11.7                                            Tifway            5.0         36.7                                            Tifway II         5.0         36.7                                            MS-Choice         11.7        36.7                                            Arizona Common    35.0        88.3                                            LSD (0.05)        11.6        12.9                                            Mean              8.2         25.2                                            ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 Field plot were located in Beltsville, MD.                             .sup.2 The % of plot area lost to low temperature killed was based on a       visual evaluation of turf lost immediately following spring greenup in        May.                                                                     

                  TABLE 13                                                        ______________________________________                                        Comparative leafspot (Helminthosporium spp.) and dollarspot                   (Sclerotinia spp.) disease resistance of MS-Choice                            and nine other bermudagrasses.                                                Bermudagrass   Disease Rating                                                 Entry          Helminthosporium                                                                            Dollar Spot                                      ______________________________________                                        MS-Pride       8.8.sup.1     8.4                                              MS-Express     8.7           7.7                                              Tifgreen       8.3           7.3                                              Tifway II      8.3           8.5                                              Texturf 10     8.2           8.7                                              Tifway         8.2           8.7                                              MS-Choice      7.9           6.4                                              Midiron        7.8           8.7                                              Tufcote        7.0           8.8                                              Arizona Common 6.2           8.6                                              LSD (0.05)     0.73          0.83                                             Mean           7.9           8.2                                              Entry × Year                                                                           **            **                                               Interaction                                                                   Year(s) data was                                                                             1986          1986                                             collected      1988          1988                                             ______________________________________                                         .sup.1 Disease rating based on a visual scale of 1 to 9; with 9 = no          disease damage (excellent disease resistance) and 1 = high incidence of       disease damage (poor disease resistance).                                     *, **Significant at the 0.05 and 0.01 level of probability, respectively.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bermudagrass plant substantially as describedand illustrated in the specification herein.